石芝珊瑚(Fungiidae)的分类、生活史及其生物地理研究进展

Fungiidae Classification, Life History, and Biogeographic Research Progress

石芝珊瑚(Fungiidae)作为珊瑚礁生态系统框架的主要构建者之一,以其丰富的物种多样性、独特的移动性和对环境变化的强适应性,在维持珊瑚礁生态系统的稳定中起重要作用。文章综述了国内外对石芝珊瑚的研究进展,包括:1)物种多样性;石芝珊瑚可起源于白垩纪中期,现共有17属、约55种,具有多样化的进化分歧与丰富的物种多样性。2)生活史(繁殖、营养模式、生长发育与移动性);石芝珊瑚具备独特的生活史策略,双向性别转换(bidirectional sex conversion)可增强石芝珊瑚种群的繁殖成功率与环境适应性,而成体移动性(adult mobility)则能够有效拓宽石芝珊瑚生态位,并提高其种群的竞争力与恢复力。3)空间分布模式(跨大陆架分布、珊瑚礁地貌带分布与纬向分布)及影响因素;石芝珊瑚是全球性的珊瑚物种,其能够在岩石、沙地、淤泥等多样化的生境中存活,具有广阔的生物地理分布范围。基于目前石芝珊瑚的研究进展,建议从以下3个方面开展进一步研究:1)基于形态学与分子分类,厘定南海石芝珊瑚科的谱系,阐明南海石芝珊瑚物种多样性的演变规律及驱动机制;2)依托宏观生态调查,揭示石芝珊瑚在南海不同纬度、岛礁、地貌带的分布特征与优势类型;3)利用群体遗传学的研究方法,从南海石芝珊瑚种群历史动态与遗传联通性的角度探讨其对全球气候变化的响应机制。

Most species of Fungiidae are formed by a single giant polyp that secretes calcium carbonate, which is one of the main builders of the coral reef ecosystem frameworks. Fungiidae play an important role in maintaining the stability of the coral reef ecosystem owing to their rich species diversity, unique mobility, and strong environmental adaptability. However, few studies have focused on the ecology, physiology, and biogeography of this family. This article reviews recent studies on Fungiidae, including the species diversity, life history(reproduction, mode of nutrient, growth, development, and mobility), and spatial distribution patterns(continental shelf, coral reef geomorphic zones, and latitudinal areas) and their influencing factors. Fungiidae originated from the extinct Synastridae in the mid-Cretaceous period. This family includes 17 genera and approximately 55species and exhibits a wide range of evolutionary divergences. Additionally, they have unique life history strategies(bidirectional sex conversion and adult mobility) compared with other reef-building corals.Bidirectional sex conversion can trigger the transformation of female Fungiidae into males with less material and energy needs, which could enhance the reproductive success rate and environmental adaptability of their populations. Adult mobility can extend the Fungiidae niche to find suitable habitats and avoid species competition. This strategy will improve the adaptability and resilience of Fungiidae populations to climate change. Fungiidae is a globally ubiquitous reef-building coral, with high species richness in the Indo-Pacific region. They are capable of surviving in diverse habitats such as rocks, sand, and silt and have a wide biogeographic distribution range. Based on the current research progress on Fungiidae and the characteristics of the coral reef ecosystem in the South China Sea, this article suggests the following research directions for the Fungiidae family to provide a basis for comprehensively revealing the potential, strategies, and mechanisms of coral reefs in response to climate change in the South China Sea. 1) Based on morphological and molecular classification techniques, we determined the phylogenetic relationships of the Fungiidae family in the South China Sea and elucidated the changing rules of Fungiidae diversity and their driving mechanisms. 2) By employing ecological investigation methods, we analyzed the distribution patterns and dominant Fungiidae species in distinct latitudinal areas, reefs, and geomorphic zones and revealed their distribution characteristics and rules at different spatial scales in the South China Sea. 3) Using the population genetics research method, we analyzed the historical dynamics and genetic connectivity of Fungiidae populations in the South China Sea and investigated their ecological mechanisms in response to global climate change.